Philippine police sees TV reporters released today

Two Philippine television journalists may be released within the next few hours by Islamic militants on a remote southern island, the country's police chief said.

Avelino Razon said he was optimistic that Ces Drilon, one of the Philippines' best-known TV reporters, would be released from captivity after her kidnappers scrapped a noon (1:00pm AEST) ransom deadline.

"We're hopeful that within the next few hours, or even within the day, the group of Ces Drilon would be released by the kidnappers," Mr Razon told local television.

Members of the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group kidnapped Drilon, two cameramen and a professor acting as their guide on June 8 and demanded 15 million pesos ($368,000) for their release.

One cameraman, Angelo Valderama, was freed last week.

On Sunday, the military shelled rebel positions on Jolo but denied that the operation had anything to do with the kidnapping.

The Philippines' military chief said the kidnapping had limited the army's operations against the Abu Sayyaf, which numbers only around 350 people but is the country's most deadly armed group.

It is infamous for decapitating some of its kidnap victims.

"We cannot pursue in those areas our operations because of the ongoing negotiations," General Alexander Yano said.

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